“Adding a guitar to the Vampires distinct chord-less sound world is of course new, however we feel that Lionel’s contribution will help inspire and spur us onto new musical territory. Nick and I have also composed music with Lionel in mind, and so the music will accommodate and make way for his unique style of playing.”
“We both sing songs made famous by both Judy and Barbra as well as some of their infamous live duets that really encapsulate the close connection they had, a connection that we also feel when we sing together.”
” I just kept looking into Mingus’ music and found that every time I listened to a new album, his music always had this way of blowing my mind like I was listening to Mingus for the first time ever. I was just totally hooked by the end of high school and still am now!”
“ATM15 is my vehicle for original material, experimentation and doing whatever the hell I want”
“I’m so grateful to be able to sing, to make jazz my vocation: I dedicated my life to this; It helps me, it sustains me, it supports me, it has allowed me to travel more and make friends. Besides, singing itself is its own reward.”
Sarah McDonald approaches her material with a tomboyish attitude, phrasing the classic jazz and obscure torch songs that comprise her set list with a punk sensitivity and a kind of modern-day angst delivered by this beautiful, soulful chili-infused chocolate voice of hers.
“My first thought when I took over the role was that I want people who think they don’t like jazz to discover it in new ways, in new formats”.
“We are thrilled that the Sydney Improvised Music Association for staging this terrific jazz festival here for a second year. We hope that folks enjoy a weekend of simple pleasures at Berry Jazz”.
Declared by The New York Times as “the standout male vocalist of our time”, Kurt Elling – a master of vocalese – is widely accepted as the natural heir to jazz pioneers Eddie Jefferson, King Pleasure and Jon Hendricks, modernizing the jazz vocal tradition and breathing new life into old favorites for today’s audiences.
“We are thrilled that President Obama and Michelle Obama are hosting the International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert at the White House, and are truly grateful for their commitment to jazz and its role in building bridges and uniting people around the world”, said Herbie Hancock. The All-Star Global Concert at the White House will feature a who-is-who in jazz, blues and beyond: Terence Blanchard, Kris Bowers, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Till Brönner, Terri Lyne Carrington, Chick Corea, Jamie Cullum, Kurt Elling, Aretha Franklin, Robert Glasper, Buddy Guy, Herbie Hancock, Zakir Hussain, Al Jarreau, Diana Krall, Lionel Loueke, Hugh Masekela, Christian McBride, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Marcus Miller, James Morrison, Danilo Pérez, Rebirth Brass Band, Dianne Reeves, Lee Ritenour, David Sánchez, Wayne Shorter, Esperanza Spalding, Sting, Trombone Shorty, Chucho Valdés, Bobby Watson, Ben Williams and 12-year-old piano prodigy Joey Alexander are among the names announced so far, with others bound to be added shortly. The concert will be broadcast live on ABC and will be streaming through the International Jazz Day webpage.
